Prethermalization and nonreciprocal phonon transport in a levitated optomechanical array

Abstract: We consider an array of optically levitated nanospheres in vacuum and investigate nontrivial phonon transports in this system. The levitated nanospheres are coupled by optical binding. Key parameters of this system, such as the interaction range, trapping frequencies and mechanical dissipation, are all highly tunable. By tuning the spacing between neighboring spheres, the mechanical dissipation and the trapping frequency of each sphere, counter-intuitive phenomena such as prethermalization and nonreciprocal phonon transport can be achieved. Our system provides a great platform to investigate novel phonon transport and thermal energy transfer.